Idioms Flashcards
(46 cards)
INF not yet free from the difficulties or problems
Not out of the woods
Ex. The situation is improving, but we’re not out of the woods yet
Deliberately become less actively involved in sth, and stop trying to control things.
Take a back seat
I’ll probably take a back seat and let him do most of the work.
Used to tell sb that you suddenly felt sad or worried about sth.
My heart sank
My heart sank when I saw the hotel room they’d given us.
Used to say that sth is true despite what you have just said.
Having said that
This city is not as good as I thought. Having said that, their public parks are well designed.
Used to say that sth happened very quickly and unexpectedly.
The next thing I knew
…and then the next thing I knew, the bird had flown away.
Used to say you’re not surprised that sth is true.
I thought as much
She said her son is getting divorced. I thought as much.
Very likely/ very happy/ very ready etc.
More than likely
They will more than likely lose the game.
I’d be more than happy to hear from you.
Find it very difficult to do sth
Be hard pressed/ pushed/ put to do sth
I’d be hard pressed to understand all the programming concepts.
Used to say that sb is in a bad mood
Got out of bed on the wrong side
Sth that makes you upset, angry, or embarrassed when sb mentions it.
A sore point
It’s a bit of a sore point because she got a low mark for it.
INF Accidentally say sth that embarrasses, upsets, or annoys sb
Put your foot in it
I put my foot in it, then.
Used to say that you think sb deserves sth unpleasant that happens to them.
It serves sb right (for doing sth)
It serves her right.
INF not do any work at all.
Not do a stroke of work.
She didn’t do a stroke of work.
Feel that a failure is your fault, or feel offended by sth/sb.
Take it/sth personally.
Don’t take it personally. She’s just in a bad mood.
To end up in a positive or comfortable position after being involved in a bad or difficult situation.
Land on one’s feet.
He landed on his feet with that job at the bank.
An expression of encouragement to persist or stay calm in a challenging situation.
Hang on in there.
It won’t be easy; you’ve just got to hang on in there.
If my memory is correct.
If my memory serves me correctly.
If my memory serves me correctly, the first moon landing was in 1969.
To maintain the same lifestyle as one’s neighbors or peers.
Keep up with the Joneses.
My sister’s just bought a new car. Basically, it’s just keeping up with the Joneses.
The final problem, setback, or source of irritation in a series that causes one to finally lost patience or for sth to stop working.
Proverb(諺語）: “It’s the last straw that breaks the camel’s back.”
He’s unreliable at the best of times, but forgetting my birthday was the last straw.
To be certain or confident (about sth).
Usually used as an imperative. (至關重要的/急迫/迫切）
Rest assured that …
You may rest assured that we will do everything we can to help.
Start doing sth and proceed quickly and successfully.
To hit the ground running.
He made it clear we were going to hit the ground running.
Admit you’ve been defeated and stop trying.
Not to throw in the towel.
I was determined not to throw in the towel.
Distinguish the able people from the less able people.
Sort out the sheep from the goats.
He said this competition would sort out the sheep from the goats.
He is not as aggressive as he sounds.
One’s words or demeanor is worse than one’s behavior.
His bark was worse than his bite.
Sue may be intimidating, but you’ll see soon enough that her bark is worse than her bite.
